YOU know who you are. You, over there, don’t hide. Come on out and admit it, you were one of the many who took a look at the 2000 Giants, mulled over the roster and the schedule and all the supposed problems and determined this was headed for 8-8, at the very best, and 6-10, at the very worst.

Take solace that you were in the majority and that plenty of you are about to be proven wrong. It may be true that the Giants fail to inspire much in the way of grand expectations, or that they rarely provide on-field thrills and chills. But they are 6-2 at the mid-point of their season and, drumroll, please, are alone in first place atop the NFC East. True, the Redskins are considered to be a legitimate Super Bowl threat and true, they did beat the Giants 16-6 earlier this season, but at the moment, the Skins are 6-3 and looking up at the Giants.

This is most likely a temporary situation, but the Giants will enjoy the ride for however long it lasts. They have established an identity as a defensive-minded, run-oriented team, and the only thing flashy about them is their record.

At the halfway point of the season, here is how they got where they are:

WHERE THEY’VE BEEN: The 3-0 start was essential to keep critics off their back and to ease the burden on Jim Fassel’s job security. The 0-2 middle was a sobering reminder that the Giants are not yet capable of beating Super Bowl-worthy competition. The 3-0 finish to the first half showed the Giants are mature enough to handle teams at or below their level.

WHERE THEY’RE GOING: At first, to Cleveland, which means 7-2 is all but locked in. After that, it gets interesting. A 4-4 record the rest of the way will assure the Giants of at least wild-card entry into the playoffs and finding at least four more victories is hardly too much to ask.

GREATEST SURPRISE: The offensive line. The signing of three veterans, Lomas Brown, Glenn Parker and Dusty Zeigler, was a golden move that has solidified the position, re-energized the running game and, just as important, provided immense leadership on and off the field.

GREATEST DISAPPOINTMENT: Candidates include Michael Strahan, Amani Toomer, Pete Mitchell and even Brad Daluiso. The choice here, though, is Kerry Collins, mainly because so much more was expected. He has fallen far short of his goal of a 2-1 touchdown-interception ratio (he has eight TDs and seven INTs) and has made few really big plays.

GRADING THE DRAFT: Gentleman, it looks as though we have ourselves a winner. Ron Dayne is exactly as advertised, a bulldozer in shoulder pads. Cornelius Griffin will be a fixture on the defensive line for years to come and is already a factor. Ron Dixon shows flashes that he can be a playmaking receiver once he sheds his small-time (Lambuth University) roots.

REASONS FOR OPTIMISM: There are enough veteran leaders on hand to keep things from getting crazy. The schedule is far from a killer. The defense, orchestrated masterfully by John Fox, is more athletic than the past and should never be over-matched.

CAUSES FOR CONCERN: Jason Sehorn is expected to miss only two games or perhaps three, and a return to form is essential. Doubts remain whether or not the Giants can generate quick-strike points through the air and, as always, the possibility of a special teams gaffe is ever-present.

MOST PIVOTAL WIN: Giants 14, Bears 7, Sept. 17 at Chicago. Yes, we know, beating the Bears should never be considered pivotal, but it was for these Giants. They were riding high at 2-0 and in the past, they would have found a way to lose this road game. These Giants found a way to win.

MOST DAMAGING LOSS: From a divisional standpoint, losing to the Redskins was a blow in the standings, but for sheer psychological abuse, the 28-14 loss to the Titans in Nashville was a nasty experience. This proved the Giants could not compete with the big boys.

BEST PLAY: The most electrifying moment thus far came at the end of the very first quarter of the season. It was a Tiki Barber 10-yard TD run against the Cardinals, and it was something to behold as he went zig and then zag. Purely spectacular.

WORST PLAY: Three for the price of one. Brad Johnson’s 46-yard pass to James Thrash, Johnson’s 48-yard pass to Albert Connell, Johnson’s 53-yard pass to Connell. All three led to points for the Redskins and all three could have and should have been avoided.

MVP: Barber. He is on pace to gain 1,136 yards, which isn’t bad for a change-of-pace running back. He is on place to gain 2,122 all-purpose yards, which would break David Meggett’s team record of 1,807. Plus, he’s a class act.

GRADING THE COACH: OK, so Fassel is not the offensive guru we were led to believe he is, but he’s developed into a solid head coach who knows how to squeeze wins out of his team. He’ll receive the multi-year contract extension he deserves. He’s also fortunate to be surrounded by coordinators (Fox and Sean Payton) who are loyal and effective.

FORECAST: Unless Collins gets hurt, the Giants are headed to the playoffs for the second time in Fassel’s four years. The goal should be to secure a home game in the postseason, and it is probably not unfair to believe the Giants can win one playoff game. That would be a significant step, considering it’s something Fassel has never done.